Bad breath

Certain foods, such as garlic and raw onion, release an odour in the breath once they have been digested. This is only temporary and will resolve quickly with the aid of mints or chewing gum. In other cases, bad breath (halitosis) can be an indicator of something more sinister occurring in the mouth, for instance rotting food stuck between teeth. When teeth are not cleaned properly, the bacteria that grow in the mouth can cause gum disease and that, in turn, can lead to bad breath.

Bad breath can also be a sign of health problems occurring elsewhere in the body, such as diabetes, sinus or chronic lung infections, and liver or kidney disease.

Maintaining a good oral hygiene routine is usually enough to prevent and treat bad breath. Specialist mouthwashes (e.g. CB12, ultraDEX) can be used to prevent and neutralise the formation of gases that cause bad breath.

Mouth ulcers

Mouth ulcers are painful round sores that typically affect the gums, tongue, roof of the mouth and insides of the cheeks. They may occur alone or in a group, and may be a one-off or recur. Mouth ulcers appear like a shallow crater with a white or yellowish interior surrounded by a halo of red, inflamed tissue. Typically, they occur following a trauma €“ a knock to the mouth while brushing teeth or biting the inside of the cheek while eating. Mouth ulcers are not caused by an infection and are therefore not contagious, so cannot be caught by kissing or sharing personal items.

The main symptom of mouth ulcers is discomfort or pain, particularly while eating or drinking. In severe cases, the sufferer may feel feverish, suffer a general feeling of malaise or experience pain while talking. Pain may occur for seven to 10 days. However, ulcers usually heal completely within one to three weeks.

For reasons that are not fully understood, some people seem particularly prone to this condition. A number of factors have been linked to recurrent mouth ulcers, including poor diet, stress, hormonal changes, sensitivity to certain foods and smoking.

OTC products can help to relieve the discomfort of mouth ulcers. Similar to teething products, these tend to include a local anaesthetic ingredient (e.g. Orajel Mouth Gel, Anbesol or Bonjela).